FILIUS NULLIUS

filius nullius (fil-ee-<<schwa>>s n<<schwa>>-lI-<<schwa>>s). [Latin “son of nobody”] Hist.

An illegitimate child. — Also termed filius populi.

“I proceed next to the rights and incapacities which appertain to a bastard. The rights are very

few, being only such as he can acquire; for he can inherit nothing, being looked upon as the son of

nobody; and sometimes called filius nullius, sometimes filius populi.” 1 William Blackstone,

Commentaries on the Laws of England 447 (1765).[Blacks Law 8th]